Information about the treatments for Acid Reflux Disease or GERD.

ACID REFLUX TREATMENTS

Acid reflux can't be cured, but it can be treated for relief. There are many ways to relieve the discomfort of acid reflux without a doctors help. These treatments include certain lifestyle changes and over the counter medications. If these treatments don't work, then a doctor may prescribe a medication for acid reflux relief.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

Eating and then lying down right after can make it easier for the acid in your stomach to be available to reflux into the esophagus. If you eat and then lie down, the body is producing acid to digest the food so there is plenty available when fluids are refluxing into the esophagus. It's best if your stomach is empty when lying down. But, if the stomach is full, it would be helpful if you elevate the head of your bed 6 inches so gravity can help keep the acid down.

Don't eat large meals. An over full stomach needs more acid to digest, meaning more acid to reflux into the esophagus.

Avoid Fatty foods or spicy foods, Citrus fruits, Onions,Tomato products, Coffee, Caffeinated tea, Alcoholic beverages, Chocolate, mints or peppermints, and Pepper. These foods weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, causing acid reflux.

Stop smoking, this also weakens the lower esophageal sphincter causing acid reflux.

Stay fit and exercise regularly(but not on a full stomach) since overweight people are more likely to suffer from acid reflux than someone who is in shape.

OVER THE COUNTER ACID REFLUX MEDICATIONS

Antacids are a very effective way to help relieve acid reflux symptoms. If you take them 1 hour after meals they neutralize the acid in your stomach making it less likely for acid to reflux into the esophagus.

Histamine-2 receptor blockers are also available over the counter. This medication prevents acid production. These must be taken at least 1 hour before meals since they can only prevent acid from being produced, not eliminate it if it already exists.

PRESCRIBED ACID REFLUX MEDICATIONS

Your doctor may perscribe a stronger medication to help a more serious acid reflux condition if over the counter medications don't help.

One type of medication, called a proton pump inhibitor, stops the production of an enzyme that produces stomach acid. This medication is more effective in stopping acid from being produced than the over the counter Histamine-2 receptor blockers.

Doctors also prescribe promotility agents. This medication strengthens the lower esophageal sphincter to help the food in the stomach empty faster.